Radiation detection unit for mounting a radiation sensor to a container crane

ABSTRACT

A radiation detection unit includes a housing and isolators unitarily constructed from mechanical energy absorbent material. The housing is attached rigidly to a structure and its major dimensions are selected to exceed corresponding major dimensions of a radiation sensor. The isolators have a body portion and projections extending outwardly therefrom. The body portion engages the radiation detection sensor proximal a respective one of its radiation collection end and its interface end. The projections are disposed intermediate the body portion and an interior surface of the housing and have a distal end contacting the interior surface to carry the radiation sensor in a three dimensional spaced apart relationship to the interior surface. The length of the projections is selected to attenuate substantially mechanical energy that is induced at the distal end and propagates along the length of each projection prior to the propagated energy being incident upon the body portion.

RELATED APPLICATION DATA

The present application is related to the commonly owned application forReal Time System for Monitoring Containers from a Quayside Crane,Application Ser. No. 11/605,530, filed on even date herewith. In Aliotoet al., Container Crane Radiation Detection Systems and Methods, U.S.Pat. No. 6,768,421 (the '421 Patent), Alioto et al., “Apparatus andMethod for Detecting Radiation and Radiation Shielding in Containers,”U.S. Pat. No. 7,026,944 (the '944 Patent), and Alioto et al., “InverseRatio of Gamma-Ray and Neutron Emissions in the Detection of RadiationShielding of Containers,” U.S. Pat. No. 7,116,235 (the '235 Patent), newand useful apparatuses and methods for radiation scanning of shippingcontainers are described. The '421 Patent, the '944 Patent and the '235Patent are incorporated by reference as though fully set forth herein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to detection of radiation threatmaterials within shipping containers and, more particularly, toimprovements to a spreader or hoist attachment of a container cranewherein such improvements are used for the non-invasive and passivecollection of radiation data from a container engaged thereto andtransmission of such data.

2. Description of the Related Art

On Sep. 11, 2001, coordinated terrorist attacks on the New York WorldTrade Center and on the Pentagon utilized hijacked commercial aircraftas the transport mechanism for incendiary devices, i.e., the very fueltanks of the hijacked aircraft themselves. Upon these aircraft beingdeliberately crashed into these structures, their fuel tanks explosivelyruptured to disperse ignited jet fuel resulting in the tragic loss ofthousands of lives and total destruction of the World Trade Center TwinTowers.

These terrorist attacks have renewed defense awareness that the commontransport systems of global commerce can be surreptitiously used asweapons delivery systems, particularly when such systems transportsmuggled weaponry triggered to detonate when the transport device isnear or arrives at an intended target. In particular, a grave concern isthat radioactive weapons, which spread radioactive contamination over arelatively small area through conventional explosives, and nuclearweapons, which cause widespread destruction through the spontaneousrelease of high fission or fusion energy from a nuclear core, may besurreptitiously smuggled from abroad in shipping containers anddetonated at the port of entry, or later when the still sealed shippingcontainer has been transported by rail or truck to a populated inlanddestination.

The threat of any of these types of weapons being smuggled into acountry from a foreign territory and then being detonated has beenrecognized since the dawn of the atomic age. In his famous letter ofAug. 2, 1939, Albert Einstein warned President Franklin Roosevelt that“(a) single bomb of this (nuclear) type, carried by boat and exploded ina port, might very well destroy the whole port together with some of thesurrounding territory.”

Although the threat of smuggled nuclear weapons, as foreseen byEinstein, has long been known, it was mitigated by the fact that tenyears following Einstein's letter only a few of the most militarilypowerful nations possessed nuclear weapon capability. The threat wasfurther overshadowed by the more efficient long range bomber deliveryand the later developed intercontinental ballistic missile deliverysystems for such weapons, which through multiple simultaneous launchescould deliver an almost instantaneous fatal blow to one's adversary.

Because the Cold War antagonists and their respective allies possessedsymmetry in nuclear weaponry and delivery systems, the totality of theretaliatory response to be wreaked upon the aggressor first to use ofsuch weapons resulted in the doctrine of mutually assured destruction.Under this doctrine, the initial use of a nuclear weapon through anymeans of delivery, even if confined to a single nuclear weapon, would beresponded to with the same retaliatory response of absolute destructionto be wreaked upon the aggressor as if the initial attack was devised todeliver a fatal blow. The secondary attack in response to theretaliatory response would thus also require absolute destruction to bewreaked upon the responder to the initial attack. Thus, nuclear warfarebetween the Cold War antagonists was not devised to be wagedsymmetrically in limited tit for tat engagements thereby ensuring thateven the limited use of nuclear weapons was not a viable militaryoption.

Since the ostensible end to the Cold War, the greatest threat to thecurrent world order is an asymmetrical one from non-state alignedterrorists, self-described as jihadists who ascribe to a nihilisticIslamic ideology, and their state sponsors. The jihadists seek throughterror to cause the destruction of the nation-state economic andpolitical order and, with the intent of global domination, to revive theIslamic caliphate, which had last been defeated in World War I andreplaced by the Kemalists in Anatolia and the current nation states ofthe Levant and Mesopotamia.

Because such ideology is nihilistic, death to its adherents is ofminimal consequence and even, at times, celebrated as long as itadvances the jihadist's cause. Furthermore, the jihadists are widelydispersed and do not operate on a centralized command and controlhierarchy, but operate mostly from localized cells, which through ashared ideology and use of terror as a means to achieve an end unitethese cells into a global force. Moreover, the cells themselves mayoften be embedded in the very civilian populations they seek toterrorize. Accordingly, the threat of overwhelming retaliatory force isof little or no deterrent effect to the jihadist, thereby rendering thethreat asymmetrical.

Asymmetrical warfare does not depend upon the widespread or totalmilitary destruction of the nation state. For example, a coordinatedjihadist attack on just a few hubs of the global transport systemsthrough the use of radioactive weapons, although not causing extensiveloss of life or physical damage to these and their related structures,would render these hubs unusable for several years through the spread ofradioactive contamination. Major disruptions in the flow ofinternational commerce would result from such an attack, causing aglobal economic slowdown, if not global economic depression, therebyresulting in increased local and global political instability.

In response to this asymmetrical threat, the transport mechanisms ofglobal commerce have recently been subject to increased monitoring andstringent security measures to minimize the chances of a radioactiveweapon or nuclear device being successfully smuggled. However, one ofthe major problems of increased monitoring is that such monitoring maysignificantly overburden and substantially slow the flow of commerce.Since the rapid movement of freight is the hallmark of global commerce,a substantial slowdown in freight handling just through increasedinspections partially achieves the aims of the terrorist even if noweapons were smuggled. Terrorists are cognizant of the fact that justthe threat of terror causes economic disruption.

One of the basic transport mechanisms of the modern global economy iscontainerized shipping. Because goods move rapidly in global commerce,shipping containers have unfetteredly moved in and out of the seaportsof the world with little or no inspection of their contents. Forexample, in 2003, the United States Government admitted that ninety-fivepercent (95%) of the some 30,000 shipping containers that entered U.S.ports every day were not inspected in any way. Introduced on Nov. 15,2005, U.S. Senate Bill S.2008 stipulates that, of those containersidentified by U.S. Customs and Border Protection's (“CBP's”) profilingsystem as “high risk,” less than 18% were inspected in any way.

This lack of inspection and consequent risk of nuclear smuggling extendsin even greater percentages to the some 300 million shipping containersthat move in and out of the ports, and over the roads and rails, of thenations of the world every year. Since shipping containers could be thetransport system of choice for smuggled radiation weapons and nucleardevices, effective, broad based inspection of shipping containers isurgently required.

The surest way to prevent smuggling of radiation and nuclear weapons isphysically to open and inspect each and every shipping container as itmoves through all of the major transit points, that is, at each seaport,airport and border-crossing. However, it should be obvious that suchlarge scale, invasive inspections are not economically feasible. Suchrigorous inspections would result in global shipping effectivelygrinding to a halt because of the inability of shipping containers topass through points of entry. The aforementioned economic disruption andinstability would result from such inspections being rigorously carriedout, thereby achieving the very goal of the terrorists without anyweapon even being present.

To overcome the unfeasibility of physically inspecting each and everyshipping container, various active and passive radiation detectionsystems for shipping containers have been proposed that enablecontainers to be inspected while in transport. For example, in the '421,'944 and '235 patents, various passive radiation detection methods andapparatus are disclosed for the non-invasive “on the fly” inspection ofshipping containers.

a. Passive Versus Active Radiation Detection Devices

Both radioactive and nuclear weapons contain radioactive or fissilematerial. As is known, this radioactive material spontaneously emitsradiation. This radiation occurs either directly from unstable atomicnuclei or as a consequence of a nuclear reaction. It comprises alphaparticles, nucleons (protons and neutrons), electrons and gamma rays. Asdisclosed in the '421, '944 and '235 patents, this radiation can bedetected by using non-invasive passive detection systems and methods.

Non-invasive passive detection systems and methods are to bedistinguished from non-invasive active detection systems and methods.The critical distinguishing factor is that passive systems and methodsutilize radiation that is naturally emitted from materials. Activesystems and methods create a source of radiation which itself emitsharmful radiation.

In an exemplary active system, a source of radiation, exemplarily gammaor neutron radiation, is aimed at the container and its contents. Theradiation passes through the walls of the container and interacts withits contents. Specifically, the radiation is absorbed by the contents,such that each item of the contents of the container then gives offfurther gamma radiation at an energy level characteristic for each item.From a scan of the energy peaks, it can be determined if any one peak isassociated with a known energy peak of a radioactive material. An activescanning system, similar to as just described, is disclosed inArmistead, U.S. Pat. No. 5,838,759.

There are serious medical, moral, legal and economic considerations inthe use of active systems and methods. First, the source of radiation iscarcinogenic and dangerous to the health and safety of workers whooperate and work in the immediate area of the system. In June of 2005,the National Academy of Sciences issued a long awaited report on thebiologic effects of ionizing radiation entitled “BEIR: VII Health Risksfrom Exposure to Low Levels of Ionizing Radiation.” It states: “Acomprehensive review of available biological and biophysical datasupports a ‘linear-no-threshold’ (LNT) risk model—that the risk ofcancer proceeds in a linear fashion at lower doses without a thresholdand that the smallest dose has the potential to cause a small increasein risk to humans.” Second, the operators of active systems face longterm legal liability exposure much the same as asbestos manufacturersdid in the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s. And third, organized labor and dockworkers (longshoremen and teamsters) will often refuse to work aroundactive radiation systems thus stopping the work flow altogether.

On the other hand, passive systems and methods, of the type as disclosedin the '421, '944 and '235 patents, obviate the need for a separatesource of radiation by measuring the radiation that is naturally emittedfrom the environment, the container and the contents of the container.If an anomaly from the normally existing radiation is detected, there isan indication that the container may contain radioactive material evenif an attempt has been made to shield the presence of such radioactivematerial by use of a radiation absorbent material. More particularly, inthe disclosed passive radiation detection devices (1) gamma rays emittedby radioactive or fissile material in a shipping container that existabout a shipping container are detected and counted (“gamma count”); (2)the energy level of those detected and counted gamma rays is measured(“gamma energy”); and, (3) neutrons emitted by radioactive or fissilematerial in a shipping container that exist about a container may alsodetected and counted (“neutron count”). As more fully described in the'421, '944 and '235 patents, these three data points, i.e., gamma count,gamma energy and neutron count, can be then used to analyze anddetermine, within acceptable limits, what radioactive material is insidea given shipping container or if radiation absorbent material is presentpossibly shielding radioactive material.

b. Crane-Mounted (Hoist Attachment or Spreader) Radiation Detection

The hallmark of containerization is the rapid movement of freight. Anyadditional operation that is performed during the movement of thecontainer from shipper to consignee slows it down and createsinefficiency. But this rapid movement creates a plain and serioussecurity risk. A balance between efficiency and security must bereached. To achieve the optimum balance, the radiation scanning shouldbe in the normal workflow of the container. This means that the scanningactivity should take place at the same time and place when and where thecontainer would otherwise move.

As stated in the '421 patent, the principal time and place for radiationscanning to occur “when and where the container otherwise moves” areduring the loading and unloading process by the container crane. Duringthis process, hydraulically operated male pieces called “twist locks” atthe four corners of the hoist attachment or spreader of the crane attachor lock into female fittings at the four corners of the shippingcontainer called “corner castings.” In the vernacular of the art, “twistlock” is oftentimes used as the verb “to twistlock” and the spreader isthen referred to as being “twistlocked onto the container.” While thehoist attachment or spreader is twistlocked onto the container, thecontainer can be lifted and moved between ship and wharfage.

Typically, the hoist attachment or spreader is twistlocked onto thecontainer for a time period between approximately 20 seconds and 100seconds. Thus, very little time is required in the loading and unloadingprocess, contributing to the rapid movement of freight. When theradiation sensors are located on all four sides and the center of theunderneath of the hoist attachment or spreader, as described in the'421, '944 and '235 patents, then the sensors are stationary withrespect to the container and its contents. Taking advantage of thisrelative stationary disposition between container and sensors for a timeperiod of between 20 and 100 seconds, the apparatus and methods of the'421, '944 and '235 patents have been designed to scan and analyzecontainers that have been twistlocked so that there is no degradation inthe transit time of the container.

Also, while a container has been twistlocked, the hoist attachment orspreader's main body comes within 6 to 18 inches from the top of thecontainer. Since the height of the maritime shipping container isstandardized at 8½ feet and 9½ feet, the distances between the sensorsand the twistlocked container, and its contents, are within thedetection range of the sensors so that the radiation about the containercan be measured to determine, as disclosed in the '421, '944 and '235patents, whether radioactive material or radiation absorbent material ispresent in the container. By taking advantage of the distances of theradiation sensors from the container while twistlocked, along with thetime duration that such container is twistlocked, the apparatus andmethods disclosed in the '421, '944 and '235 patents enable radiationscanning of a container while it is still in its normal workflow.

Contrary to the disclosures of the '421, '944 and '235 patents, highlyplaced, U.S. Government officials have stated that crane-mountedradiation detection “does not work” because the sensors cannot besufficiently shock absorbed. On Oct. 24, 2004, the Deputy Administratorfor Defense Nuclear Nonproliferation of the U.S. Dept. of Energy castdoubt on the possibility of a crane-mounted radiation detection systemstating, among other things, “[T]he systems would have to beexceptionally robust to withstand the application there.”

During the loading and unloading process, the hoist attachment isbrought into contact with, and twistlocked onto, the container. Whiletwistlocked, the container is hoisted and put into place either onboardship or dockside on the top wharfage whence the twistlocks are opened torelease the hoist attachment from the container. During each of theseactions, the hoist attachment is subject to impact, shock and vibrationsfrom the forces of collisions that occur. Additionally, the accelerativeforces during the loading and unloading process of the container placestresses and strains on the hoist attachment when it is twistlocked ontothe container.

All of these various forces cause mechanical energy to be propagatedthrough the hoist attachment. It has been found that this energy may bedisruptive to the normal operation of the radiation sensors and mayfurther cause their failure. Thus, although the systems and methodsfirst described in the '412 patent have subsequently been built, testedand successfully demonstrated, a need arose for a radiation detectionunit so that a radiation sensor can be mounted to a structure in whichmechanical energy, otherwise disruptive to the operation of theradiation sensor, is propagated to the structure.

There are other advantages to crane-mounted (hoist attachment orspreader) radiation detection. The hoist attachment or spreader is thelast piece of equipment to touch the container as it is hoisted from thewharfage and loaded onto the container ship at the originating port. Thehoist attachment or spreader is also the first piece of equipment totouch the container upon arrival at the destination port. Crane-mounted(hoist attachment or spreader) radiation detection eliminates anyshoreside opportunity to contaminate or compromise the container.Crane-mounted (hoist attachment or spreader) radiation detection doesnot use scarce terminal real estate in a wasteful, non-container-storageuse. And lastly, crane-mounted radiation sensors experience varyinglevels of background radiation that provide additional data points fromwhich to make content determinations.

In the event a container does contain a radioactive weapon or nucleardevice that is triggered to detonate upon reaching a destination portwith the intent of disabling such port, the detection systems of the'421, '944 and '235 patents, if employed only at the destination port,may not provide sufficient time to prevent the disaster from occurringshould the threat be detected. Furthermore, the threat may have alreadybeen realized from detonation while the container containing the threatis still onboard the container ship prior to being scanned. As statedabove, since the hoist attachment when twistlocked into a container isthe last piece of equipment to touch the container when being loadedonto a ship, it is during the loading process that the scan for threatmaterials is preferably made to obviate the aforementioned possibilityof the threat being realized at the destination port.

However, origination ports may be in countries that are hostile to theinterest of the nation of the destination port, or even if each countryhas nominally friendly relations, the port employees may be infiltratedby terrorists or their sympathizers. Although, the country of theoriginating port may acquiesce to detection systems being installed attheir ports for scanning of all outgoing containers through action ofinternational treaties and protocols, the country of the originatingport may not welcome or allow foreign inspection monitors to be present.Thus the possibility exists that the port employees of such countrycould compromise the scanning process and falsify the scan results toenable a container with threat materials to be loaded onto the ship.Accordingly, another need exists to be able to monitor remotely the scanresults of containers during the loading process.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide aradiation detection unit adapted to mount a radiation sensor to astructure in which mechanical energy disruptive to operation of saidradiation sensor is propagated.

It is a related object of the present invention to provide a pluralityof radiation detection units wherein each of said radiation detectionunits is adapted to mount a respective one of a plurality of radiationsensors to a spreader in which mechanical energy disruptive to operationof said radiation sensors is propagated.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an apparatusfor the detection of threat material in a container when engaged by thetwist locks of the spreader of a container crane in response to acontrol signal developed by a control computer associated with suchcontainer crane.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a real timewide area monitoring system for the detection of a threat material inany one of a plurality of containers as such containers are hoistedbetween a container ship and wharfage at one of a plurality of shippingports.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, a radiationdetection unit is adapted to mount a radiation sensor, having aninterface end and a collection end, to a structure in which mechanicalenergy disruptive to operation of the radiation sensor is propagated.The radiation detection unit includes housing and a pair of isolators ofunitary construction of a mechanical energy absorbent material. Thehousing has an interior surface and an exterior surface. A portion ofthe exterior surface of the housing is adapted to be attached rigidly tothe structure. Furthermore, major dimensions of the housing are selectedto exceed corresponding major dimensions of the radiation sensor. Eachof the isolators has a body portion and a plurality of projectionsextending outwardly from the body portion. The body portion of each ofthe isolators is adapted to engage the radiation detection sensorproximal to a respective one of the radiation collection end and theinterface end. Each of the projections is disposed spatiallyintermediate the body portion and the interior surface of the housingand has a distal end in intimate contact with the interior surface ofthe housing. Accordingly, the radiation sensor when engaged by theisolators is carried in a three-dimensional spaced apart relationship tothe interior surface of the housing. Moreover, a length of each of theprojections between the distal end and the body portion from which eachof the projections extends is selected to attenuate substantiallymechanical energy that is induced at the distal end and propagates alongthe length of each of the projections prior to the propagated energybeing incident upon the body portion from which each of the projectionsextends whereby the radiation sensor is isolated from the mechanicalenergy.

In a related aspect to the forgoing embodiment of the present invention,each of a plurality of radiation detection units, similar to theradiation detection unit described above, are adapted to mount theradiation sensor to a spreader for a container crane. The spreadertypically includes a main body, a pair of actuated drawbars, a pair ofgable ends and a first pair and a second pair of telescoping arms. Eachof the drawbars extends outwardly from a respective opposite end of themain body and move in opposition to each other. Each of the gable endsis attached to a distal end of a respective one of the drawbars andnormal thereto. The first pair and the second pair of telescoping armsextend outwardly from the respective opposite end of the main body.Furthermore, each of the first pair and the second pair of telescopingarms has a distal end attached to a respective one of the gable ends.Any one of the radiation detection units may be mounted to any of theabove-described components of the spreader in which mechanical energydisruptive to operation of the radiation sensor therein is propagated.

In another embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of radiationdetection units is carried by the spreader of a container crane whereinthe container crane also has a control computer. The spreader has twistlocks to engage and disengage a container in response to a controlsignal developed by the control computer. Each of the radiationdetection units gathers raw emission data from radiation about thecontainer when engaged by the spreader to develop an electrical signalcommensurate with the raw data. A data collection computer is incommunication with the control computer. The electrical signal from eachof the radiation detection units is applied to the data collectioncomputer to collect the electrical signal from each of the radiationdetection units in response to the control signal being indicative thatthe container has been engaged by the twist locks. The data collectioncomputer further stores the electrical signal from each of the radiationdetection units as digital data. A data analysis computer is in networkcommunication with the data collection computer to download the digitaldata from the data collection computer and analyze the digital data todetermine whether the threat material is present in the container.

In a related aspect to the immediately forgoing embodiment of thepresent invention, a real time wide area monitoring system detectsthreat material in any one of a plurality of containers as suchcontainers are hoisted between a container ship and wharfage at one of aplurality of shipping ports. Each of the ports has a plurality ofcontainer cranes and a control computer. Each of the container cranes,similarly as described above, has a spreader. The spreader of each ofthe container cranes has twist locks to engage and disengage one of thecontainers in response to a control signal developed by the controlcomputer. The monitoring system includes the plurality of radiationdetection units carried by the spreader of each of the container cranes,a plurality of data collection computers wherein each of the datacollection computers is associated with a respective one of thecontainer cranes and further is in communication with the controlcomputer of a respective one of the ports, and a data analysis computerin network communication with each of the data collection computers.Each of the radiation detection units of the spreader of one of thecontainer cranes gathers raw emission data from radiation about the oneof the containers when engaged by the spreader of the one of thecontainer cranes to develop an electrical signal commensurate with theraw data. The electrical signal from each of the radiation detectionunits of the spreader of the respective one of the container cranes isapplied to the data collection computer associated with the respectiveone of the container cranes to collect the electrical signal from eachof the radiation detection units of the spreader of the respective oneof the cranes in response to the control signal developed by the controlcomputer of the respective one of the ports being indicative that theone of the containers has been engaged by the twist locks and to storethe electrical signal from each of the radiation detection units asdigital data. The data analysis computer downloads the digital data fromone of the data collection computers associated with the respective oneof the container cranes and analyzes the digital data to determinewhether the threat material is present in any one of the containers.

The radiation detection unit, as used in any embodiment of the presentinvention, advantageously isolates the radiation sensor from themechanical energy propagating within structure to which the unit isattached, wherein such propagating energy is disruptive to the operationof such sensor. Accordingly, through the present invention the apparatusand methods, as disclosed in the '421, '944 and '235 patents, areimproved upon and the doubt cast by the Deputy Administrator for DefenseNuclear Nonproliferation of the U.S. Dept. of Energy is addressed.

These and other objects, advantages and features of the presentinvention will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art froma study of the following Description of the Exemplary PreferredEmbodiments when read in conjunction with the attached Drawings andappended Claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is a fore-and-aft view of wharfage, a container crane assembly onthe top wharfage and a container ship at the side wharfage;

FIG. 2A is a plan view, partially cut away and partially in crosssection, of the underside of the spreader of FIG. 1;

FIG. 2B is a cross section of the spreader of FIG. 2A taken along line2B-2B;

FIG. 3A is a broken perspective view of the container of FIG. 1 showingits corner castings;

FIG. 3B is the container of FIG. 3A showing the twist locks of thespreader of FIG. 2 engaged into the corner castings of FIG. 3A;

FIG. 4A is a perspective view, partially cut away, of a radiationdetection unit constructed according the principles of the presentinvention;

FIG. 4B is a cross section of the radiation detection unit of FIG. 4Ataken along line 4B-4B;

FIG. 5A is a view in elevation of an isolator of FIG. 4A;

FIG. 5B is a cross section of the isolator of FIG. 5A taken along line5B-5B;

FIG. 6A is a perspective view of a radiation detection unit showing afurther isolator;

FIG. 6B is a cross section of the radiation detection unit and isolatorof FIG. 6A taken along line 6B-6B;

FIG. 7A is a perspective view of a radiation detection unit showingmultiple radiation sensors within a single housing;

FIG. 7B is a cross section of the radiation detection unit and oneisolator of FIG. 7A taken along line 7B-7B;

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of a threat detection system constructedaccording to the principles of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown a typical container crane 10 ofthe type employed for loading or unloading a standardized shippingcontainer 12 to or from a container ship 14 and top wharfage 16 of thecontainer terminal when and where the container ship 14 is docked at theside wharfage 18 associated with the container crane 10. The containercrane 10 includes a gantry 20, a hoist mechanism (inclusive of aheadblock) 22, and a hoist attachment, such as a spreader 24, to graspthe container 12. The spreader 24 is one particular type of hoistattachment that accommodates any size of standard lengths for thecontainer 12.

A container terminal will generally have thereat a plurality ofcontainer cranes, each similar to the container crane 10, wherein eachone of several container ships, similar to container ship 14, can bedocked at the side wharfage 18 associated with each respective one ofthe container cranes. Accordingly, each of the shipping containers, eachsimilar to the shipping container 12, in each of the container ships canthen be loaded or unloaded, as the case may be, to or from the topwharfage 16.

With further reference to FIG. 2A, the spreader 24 includes a main body26, a pair of actuated drawbars 28 _(a), 28 _(b), a pair of gable ends30 _(a), 30 _(b), and a first pair of telescoping arms 32 _(a) and asecond pair of telescoping arms 32 _(b). Each of the drawbars 28 _(a),28 _(b) extends outwardly from a respective opposite end 34 _(a), 34_(b) of the main body 26. Each of the gable ends 30 _(a), 30 _(b) isaffixed to a distal end 36 transversely of a respective one of thedrawbars 28 _(a), 28 _(b). The first pair and said second pair oftelescoping arms 32 _(a), 32 _(b) are coextensive with a respective oneof the drawbars 28 _(a), 28 _(b) and extend outwardly from therespective opposite end 34 _(a), 34 _(b) of the main body 26. Each ofthe first pair and the second pair of telescoping arms 32 _(a), 32 _(b)also has a distal end 38 attached to a respective one of the gable ends30 _(a), 30 _(b).

The drawbars 28 a, 28 b of the spreader 24 are actuated along theirlength from the main body 26 in opposition to each other to adjust thespreader 24 to accommodate any of the standard lengths of the container12 to be grasped. Accordingly, in such spreader 24 the telescoping arms32 _(a), 32 _(b) are supported by the main body 26 in slidableengagement therewith. In a fixed length hoist attachment the actuateddrawbars 28 a, 28 b are not present and the telescoping arms 32 _(a), 32_(b) are fixed to the main body 26.

In the hoist attachment or spreader 24, each of the gable ends 30 _(a),30 _(b) includes a pair of hydraulically actuated twist locks 40 _(a),40 _(b). Each of the twist locks 40 _(a), 40 _(b) extends downwardly ata respective lower corner of the gable ends 30 _(a), 30 _(b).

With further reference to FIG. 3A, each of the shipping containers, asseen on the exemplary shipping container 12, has on each of its upperfour corners thereof a corner casting 42. Each corner casting 42 isadapted to receive a respective one of the twist locks 40 _(a), 40 _(b)in locking engagement.

The twist locks 40 _(a), 40 _(b) are “closed” when they are engaged inor twistlocked into the corner castings 12, as best seen in furtherreference to FIG. 3B. Similarly, the twist locks 40 _(a), 40 _(b) are“open” when the twist locks 40 _(a), 40 _(b) are disengaged from thecorner castings 42 of the container 12, as seen in the exploded viewrelationship of FIG. 2. Accordingly, the twist locks 40 _(a), 40 _(b),upon closing in cooperative engagement with the corner castings 42,grasp the container 12 thereby mounting it to the hoist attachment orspreader 24 so that it may be hoisted and transported between thecontainer ship 14 and the top wharfage 16, and upon opening release thecontainer 12 from the hoist attachment or spreader 24.

Returning to FIG. 1, the hoist mechanism 22 actuates longitudinallyalong the gantry 20 so that the hoist mechanism 22 can be verticallypositioned above one of the containers 12 for grasping by the hoistattachment or spreader 24, and further so that the container 12 sograsped can be moved between the top wharfage 16 and the container ship14 for loading or unloading as the case may be. The hoist mechanism 22further provides vertical actuation of the hoist attachment or spreader24 so that the hoist attachment or spreader 24 can be dropped intoposition immediately above one of the containers 12 to be grasped by thetwist locks 40 _(a), 40 _(b), lifted for transport of the graspedcontainer 12 between the container ship 14 and the top wharfage 16, andthen dropped again for releasing the container 12 from the twist locks40 _(a), 40 _(b) upon the container being placed on the top wharfage 16or upon another container 12 in the container ship 14.

The above-described operation of the container crane 10 is well knownand the details of the actuation of the hoist mechanism 22, the drawbars 28 _(a), 28 _(b), and the twist locks 40 _(a), 40 _(b) need not bedescribed herein. Generally, the container crane 10 further includes amachinery/electrical room 44 in which there resides a computer (notshown) that controls the electrical, mechanical and hydraulic devicesthat provide for the actuation of the hoist mechanism 22 draw bars 28_(a), 28 _(b), and the twist locks 40 _(a), 40 _(b). In particular,electrical power and control signals are transmitted through a maincable and wire connector, which is known in the art as a baloney cable46, from the computer within the machinery/electrical room 44 to theknown actuating elements or means that perform the actuation of the drawbars 28 _(a), 28 _(b) and the twist locks 40 _(a), 40 _(b).

Within the machinery/electrical room 44 there may also be an interface(not shown) provided between a port facility control computer, whichmonitors the crane 10 and each other crane of the port facility withcommunication enabled over a local area network. The control computerand the interface within the machinery/electrical room 44, the portfacility computer and local area network are described in greater detailhereinafter in reference to FIG. 8.

From the forgoing description, it can be appreciated by those skilled inthe art that, as the hoist attachment or spreader 24 is brought intoposition above one of the containers 12 to be grasped, there is a highprobability of collision occurring between the hoist attachment orspreader 24 and such container 12. Once the container 12 is grasped andas it is being hoisted there is also a probability of collisionoccurring with an adjacent container. Similarly, as the graspedcontainer 12 is being lowered into place, there is yet another highprobability of collision with the top wharfage 16 or with anothercontainer either being the container upon which the container 12 willultimately rest or adjacent to the resting spot of the container 12.Even as the hoist attachment or spreader 24 is being twistlocked intothe container 12, substantial relative motion may occur between thehoist attachment or spreader 24 and the container 12 as the twist locks40 _(a), 40 _(b) grasp the corner castings 42.

Because of the mass of the spreader and the container 12, especiallywhen fully laded to its maximum rated capacity, there are substantialforces generated by these collisions. Furthermore, as the hoistmechanism 22 is lifting the hoist attachment or spreader 24 and thecontainer 12 in its grasp, the suspended mass develops various stresses,strains and moments within the various components of the hoistattachment or spreader 24, in particular the telescoping arms 32 _(a),32 _(b). All of these forces of collision, stresses, strains and momentscontribute to the propagation of mechanical energy through the structureof the hoist attachment or spreader 24. With particular applicability tothe spreader 24, mechanical energy is further induced within thestructure of the spreader 24 arising from actuation of the drawbars 28_(a), 28 _(b).

As has become known through the teachings of the '421 patent, andsubsequent tests and demonstrations, threat materials can be positivelydetected by radiation sensors mounted on the hoist attachment orspreader 24 itself during the time duration that the container 12 isgrasped by the hoist attachment or spreader 24 while being hoistedbetween the top wharfage 16 and the container ship 12. To provide forgreater longevity of the radiation sensors mounted to the hoistattachment or spreader 24, a radiation detection unit is disclosedhereinbelow wherein such radiation detection unit provides forsubstantial isolation of the radiation sensor therein from the inducedmechanical energy propagated in the hoist attachment or the spreader 24that is degrades operability of the radiation detector.

With reference now to FIGS. 4A and 4B, there is shown a radiationdetection unit 50 constructed according to the principles of the presentinvention. The radiation detection unit 50, when constructed asdescribed below, will mount a radiation sensor 52 to any type of hoistattachment, such as the spreader 24, in which mechanical energy ispropagated to isolate the radiation sensor were 52 from such mechanicalenergy. The sensor 52 typically has a radiation collection end 54 and aninterface end 56. The radiation detection unit 50 includes a housing 58and a pair of isolators 60.

The housing 58 has an interior surface 62 and an exterior surface 64.The housing 58 is adapted to be rigidly attached to the hoist attachmentor spreader 24. For example, a portion of the exterior surface 64, suchas a flange 65, is in intimate contact with the hoist attachment orspreader 24 upon the housing 58 being attached thereto. The majordimensions of the housing 58 are selected to exceed the correspondingmajor dimensions of the sensor 52.

With reference now to FIGS. 5A and 5B, each of the isolators 60 is ofunitary construction and constructed from a mechanical energy absorbentmaterial. Each of said isolators 60 has a body portion 66 and aplurality of projections 68 extending outwardly from the body portion66. The body portion 66 of each of the isolators 60 is adapted to engagethe sensor 52 proximal a respective one of its radiation collection end54 and its interface end 56. Each one of the projections 68 is disposedspatially intermediate the body portion 66 of the same one of theisolators 60 and the interior surface 62 of the housing 58 and furtherhas a distal end 70 in intimate contact with the interior surface 62 ofthe housing.

The sensor 52 when engaged by the isolators 60 is carried in athree-dimensional spaced apart relationship to the interior surface 62of the housing 58. The length of each of the projections 68 between itsdistal end 70 and the body portion 66 of the isolator 60 from which eachof the projections 68 extends is selected to attenuate substantially themechanical energy that is induced at the distal end 70 of each of theprojections 68 and further propagates along the length of each of theprojections 68 prior to this propagated energy being incident upon thebody portion of the isolator 60 from which each of the projections 68extends. The sensor 52 is therefore substantially isolated from themechanical energy transmitted from the hoist attachment or spreader 24to which the housing 58 is attached.

The sensor 52 is typically elongated along its major dimension betweenits radiation collection end 54 and its interface end 56. Accordingly,the housing 58 is elongated along a first one of its major dimensionsthat corresponds to the same dimension of the sensor 52. In suchembodiment, at least one projection 68 _(a) of the projections 68 ofeach of the isolators 60 extends outwardly along the major dimension inopposition to each other. Furthermore each of these projections 68 _(a)along the major dimension is configured not to interfere with thefunction of the radiation collection end 54 or the interface end 56 ofthe sensor 52, as the case may be. The overall length of the projection68 _(a) of each of isolators 60 along this major dimension together withthe sensor 52 when engaged by the body portion 66 of each of theisolators 60 is dimensionally commensurate with the first majordimension of the housing 58. The remaining projections 68 _(b) of eachof the projections 68 of each of the isolators 60 are normal to thefirst major dimension.

The body portion 66 of each of the isolators 60 has a first end 72, asecond end 74 and an opening 76 extending there through intermediate thefirst end 72 and the second end 74. The opening 76 of the body portion66 of each of the isolators 60 is adapted at the first end 72 of thebody portion 66 to receive non-interferingly the respective one of theradiation collection end 54 and the interface end 56 of the sensor 52.The projection 68 _(a) of each of the isolators 60 along the first majordimension of the housing thus extends from the second end 74 of the bodyportion 66 thereof.

The projection 68 _(a) of each of the isolators 60 extending along thefirst major dimension may further be dimensionally commensurate with thebody portion 66 of each of the isolators 60 in all dimensions normal tothe first major dimension. The projection 68 _(a) of each of theisolators 60 may also have an opening 78 in communication with theopening 76 of the body portion 66.

The opening 78 of each projection 68 _(a) may further be dimensionallylesser along the major dimensions normal to the first major dimensionthan the opening 76 of the body portion 66 such that an abutment 80 isdefined at the second end 74 of the body portion 66 within the opening76 of the body portion 66. When the sensor 52 is engaged by the bodyportion 66, the abutment 80 at the second end 74 of the body portion 66of each isolator 60 abuts either its radiation collection end 54 or itsinterface end 56, as the case may be.

To accommodate the typical sensor 52, the opening 76 of the body portion66 and the opening 78 of each projection 68 _(a) of each of theisolators 60 may each be a cylindrical bore coaxially aligned with eachother. To form the abutment 80, a diameter of the opening 78 of theprojection 68 _(a) is less than a diameter of the opening 76 of the bodyportion 66. Preferably, the body portion 66 and the projection 68 _(a)of each of the isolators 60 may be cylindrical.

The remaining projections 68 _(b) normal to the first dimension may berectangular in cross-section. Furthermore, the remaining projections 68_(b) may be arranged in pairs. The projections 68 _(b) of each pairextend from the body portion 66 in opposition to each other along arespective common dimension normal to the first major dimension.

The distal end 70 of one of the pairs of the remaining projections 68_(b) may have an arcuate surface 82. The arcuate surface 82 ispreferably axially aligned with the first major dimension such thatcontact with the interior surface 62 of the housing 58 is substantiallylinear. Moreover, the distal end 70 of the other pair of the remainingprojections 68 _(b) has flat surface 84 such that contact with theinterior surface 62 of the housing 58 is substantially planar.

The distal end 70 of one of the pairs of projections 68 _(b) may alsohave a bore 86 there through, preferably disposed in the pair ofprojections 68 _(b) having the flat surface 84 at its distal end 70. Thebore 86, if present, may further be axially aligned with the first majordimension.

In some embodiments, the sensor 52, being elongated along the firstmajor dimension, may require at least one further isolator, also ofunitary construction and of the same material as the isolators 60. Thefurther isolator may be similar to the isolator 60 except that thefurther isolator would not require the projection 68 _(a) along thefirst major dimension. Otherwise, such further isolator has the bodyportion 66 and the plurality of projections 68 _(b) extending outwardlyfrom the body portion 66 normal to the first major dimension. The bodyportion 66 of such further isolator also has the opening 76 along thefirst major dimension that is adapted to engage a portion of the sensor52 intermediate its radiation collection end 54 and its interface end56. Similarly as described above, each of the projections 68 _(b) ofsuch further isolator are disposed spatially intermediate the bodyportion 66 of such further isolator 60′ and the interior surface 62 ofthe housing 58 and also have a distal end 70 in intimate contact withthe interior surface 62 of the housing 58. Each of the projections 68_(b) of such further isolator may also be arranged in pairs ashereinabove described.

With reference to FIGS. 6A and 6B, there is shown an alternativeembodiment of a further isolator 60′ useful to mount an elongated sensor52 intermediate its radiation collection end 54 and its interface end56. The further isolator 60′ includes a body portion 66′, a plurality ofprojections 68′ extending therefrom and an opening 76′ to receive theradiation sensor 52 intermediate its radiation collection end 54 and itsinterface end 56.

In particular, the body portion 66′ of the further isolator 60′ mayfurther have a slit 87 along the major dimension so that the furtherisolator 60′ may be spread open for placement about the sensor 52. Theprojections 68′ may further be arcuate lobes, as best seen in FIG. 6B,dimensioned to engage the inner surface 62 of the housing 58. In theevent the housing 58 is of rectangular cross section, the projections68′, when configured as arcuate lobes, may engage the inner surface 62of the housing 58 at each corner of the rectangular cross section, alsoas best seen in FIG. 6B.

The isolators 60, and the further isolator 60′, all as above described,are preferably constructed from a viscoelastic material. One exemplaryviscoelastic material is commercially available from Sorbothane, Inc.,under a trademark of the same name.

Returning to FIGS. 4A and 4B, in a further embodiment of the presentinvention, the housing 58 includes a first end wall 88 and a second endwall 90 opposite the first end wall 88. Each of the first end wall 88and the second end waIl 90 are substantially normal to the first majordimension of the housing 58. The distal end 70 of the projections 68 aof each of the isolators 60 extend outwardly along this major dimensionand are in intimate contact with a respective one of the first end wall88 and the second end wall 90. Either of the first end wall 88 and thesecond end wall 90 may also include interface connectors 92 adapted tobe in communication with the interface end 56 of the sensor 52.Preferably, if the first end waIl 88 includes the interface connectors92, the sensor 52 should then be carried within the housing 58 so thatits interface end 56 is disposed in a facing relationship to the firstend wall 88. The collection end 54 of the sensor 52 would then be inafacing relationship to the second end wall 90, which would then beconfigured not to interfere with radiation collection. The interfaceconnectors 92, as is known, provide connection to the sensor 52 to adevice external of the housing 58.

With further reference to FIGS. 7A and 7B, the radiation detection unitand isolators 60, or isolators 60′, can also carry more than oneradiation sensor 52. Instead of the sensor 52 being received within theopening 76, 76′ of the isolator 60, 60′, an insert 94 is coextensivelyreceived within the opening 76, 76′. The insert 94 has a plurality ofopenings 96 wherein each opening 96 of the insert 94 receives a portionof a respective radiation sensor 52.

The insert may be formed from the same material as the isolator 60, 60′.Furthermore, the insert 94 may be formed of HDPE neutron moderatingmaterial when each sensor 52 received in a respective opening 96 of theinsert 94 detects neutron radiation or count.

Additionally, a layer 98 of the HDPE neutron moderating material may bedisposed along the major dimension of the sensor 52 intermediate theinner surface 62 of the housing 58 and one of the projections 68 _(b),68′, and further in intimate contact therewith. As exemplarily seen inFIG. 7B, the flat surface of one of the projections 68 _(b) is inintimate contact with the layer 98.

The housing 58, the isolators 60, and the further isolator 60′ ifpresent, construct the various above-described embodiments of theradiation detection unit 50 such that when a portion of the housing 52,such as the flange 65, is mounted to any components of the hoistattachment or spreader 24, i.e., any of the main body 26, drawbars 28_(a), 28 _(b), gable ends 30 _(a), 30 _(b) or telescoping arms 32 _(a),32 _(b), the sensor 52 mounted in the radiation detection unit 50 willbe substantially isolated from mechanical energy propagating in thehoist attachment or spreader 24. Moreover, the radiation detection unit50 may further be protectively mounted to any such component of thehoist attachment or spreader 24.

Exemplarily, as seen in FIG. 2B, each one of the drawbars 28 _(a), 28_(b) may have a radiation detection unit 50 protectively mountedthereto. To provide such protection, the radiation detection unit 50 isdisposed within a generally U-shaped channel 99, such as seen in thecross-section of the drawbar 28 _(a), so that the radiation detectionunit 50 does not interfere with the retraction or extension of thedrawbar 28, in or out of the main body 26. Similarly, each of the othercomponents of the hoist attachment or spreader 24, i.e., the main body26, gable ends 30 _(a), 30 _(b) or telescoping arms 32 _(a), 32 _(b),may also have U-shaped channels, similar to U-shaped channel 99, inwhich additional radiation detection units 50 may be mounted to anythese components in a similar manner as described to mount the radiationdetection unit 50 to the drawbar 28 _(a).

The sensor 52 in each of the radiation detections units 50 may detecteither gamma rays or neutrons. For example, sodium iodide (NaI)detectors that have been “ruggedized” are used for the sensor 52 whenthe radiation detection unit 50 is constructed for gamma-ray detection.Ruggedized NaI detectors are commercially available from variousvendors, e.g., Amptek, Inc. of Bedford, Mass. Helium-3 detectors (He-3)are used for the sensor 52 when the radiation detection unit 50 isconstructed for neutron detection. These He-3 detectors are alsocommercially available from various vendors, e.g., Saint-Gobain Crystalsand Detectors of Solon, Ohio, a subsidiary of Compagnie de Saint-Gobainof Paris, France. There are many other types and suppliers of radiationdetection equipment, any of which may also be used in the radiationdetection unit 50. Irrespective of the make or type of radiationdetection equipment used for the sensor 52, the dimensions of thehousing 58 and the isolators 60, as well as the further isolator 60′ ifused, are selected to conform to the dimensions of the sensor 52 and thepreferred magnitude of energy absorbance and attenuation in theprojections 68.

Referring further to FIG. 8, a monitoring system 100 for detection ofthreat materials in the container 12 is described. The preferredenvironment in which the monitoring system 100 is operative includes aplurality of the radiation sensors 52 carried by the hoist attachment orspreader 24 of the container crane 10. Preferably, the radiation sensors52 are further mounted to the hoist attachment or spreader 24 of thecontainer crane 10 by being carried with the radiation detection units50, which may further be disposed exemplarily as described above inreference to FIG. 2B.

As described above, the machinery/electrical room 44 of the crane 10includes a control computer 102 and the port facility at which the crane10 is located includes a port facility computer 104. The port facilitycomputer communicates with the control computer 102 in themachinery/electrical room of the container crane 10 through a local areanetwork 105. The port facility computer 104 may monitor the controlcomputer 102 and may further collect data developed by the controlcomputer 102, conventionally as is known.

A conventional interface 106, also in the machinery/electrical room 44of the container crane 10, provides an interface between low voltagecontrol signals developed at the control computer 102, which signalwhich respective components of the hoist attachment or spreader 24 areto be actuated, and high power currents that are conducted through thebaloney cable 46 to such respective components to enable theiractuation. The interface 106 may conventionally include relays or othertypes of high power switches responsive to the low voltage controlsignals.

For example, the control computer 102 develops one particular lowvoltage control signal, the polarity or amplitude of which determineswhether the twist locks 40 _(a), 40 _(b) are to be opened or closed. Atthe interface 106, this low voltage control signal is utilized to switcha high power current of appropriate polarity conducted through thebaloney cable 46 to the actuator(s) for the twist locks 40 _(a), 40 _(b)so that they can be opened or closed in response to this control signal.This particular low voltage control signal used for signaling actuationof the twist locks 40 _(a), 40 _(b), hereinafter referred to as thetwist lock control signal, is of particular usefulness to the operationof the monitoring system 100.

The monitoring system 100 further includes a data collection computer108 preferably disposed in the machinery/electrical room 44 of the crane10. The twist lock control signal developed by the control computer 102is further applied to the data collection computer, for example througha connection made within the interface 106. Accordingly, the datacollection computer 108 is made cognizant of the twist lock controlsignal developed by the control computer 102, this signal beingindicative of when the twist locks 40 _(a), 40 _(b) are in a closed orengaged position, in which the container is engaged by the hoistattachment or spreader 24 and being hoisted by the container crane 10,and also indicative of when the twist locks 40 _(a), 40 _(b) are in anopened or disengaged position. Thus, the data collection computer 108 isable to determine a time at which the twist locks 40 _(a), 40 _(b) areclosed or opened and the time duration they remain closed or opened.

When operative, each of the radiation sensors 52 carried by the hoistattachment or spreader 24 detects radiation to develop an electricalsignal, which may be an analog or digital signal, conveying informationcommensurate with the count or energy of the radiation detected. Theelectrical signal from each of the radiation sensors 52 carried by thehoist attachment or spreader 24 is applied to the data collectioncomputer 108 whereat the information conveyed by the electrical signalfrom each of the radiation sensors 52 is stored as digital data.

During a time duration the twist lock control signal is indicative thatthe twist locks 40 _(a), 40 _(b) are in the engaged position, datacollection computer 108 is operative to store the information conveyedby the electrical signal from each of the radiation sensors 52 as“container digital data.” Container digital data may be defined as datarelating to observed radiation by all of the radiation sensors 52 as thecontainer 12 is being hoisted by the container crane 10, exemplarily ineither direction between the container ship 14 and the top wharfage 16.Moreover, during a time duration the twist lock control signal isindicative that the twist locks 40 _(a), 40 _(b) are in the disengagedposition, the data collection computer 108 is further operative to storethe information conveyed by the electrical signal from each of theradiation sensors 52 as “background digital data.” Background digitaldata may be defined as data relating to observed radiation by all of theradiation sensors 52 without any container 12 being present. When themonitoring system 100 is implemented in real time, the time duration inwhich the background digital data is obtained is preferably prior to thetime duration in which the container digital data is obtained.

The electrical signal from each of the radiation sensors 52 may beelectrically or optically transmitted over appropriate cable medium fromtheir respective interface end 56 or, preferably, from the interfaceconnectors 92 on each of the radiation detection units 50 to the datacollection computer 108. Such cable medium may preferably be routedthrough the baloney cable 46.

The monitoring system 100 also includes a data analysis computer 110 incommunication over the local area network 105 with the data collectioncomputer 108. Alternatively, the data analysis computer 110 may resideas a software implementation within the port facility computer 104. Thedigital data, whether container digital data or background digital data,upon being stored in the data collection computer 108 is preferably madeimmediately available to the data analysis computer 110. The dataanalysis computer 110 is operative to analyzes such digital data todetermine whether the container 12 currently engaged by the twist locks40 _(a), 40 _(b), of the hoist attachment or spreader 24 contains anythreat material. In real time, the analysis consumes the containerdigital data obtained as the container 12 is being hoisted, and mayfurther consume the background digital data from a prior time durationto determine whether an analysis of such digital is indicative of threatmaterial being present in the hoisted container 12. In the latter case,the data analysis computer 110 preferably uses the algorithms of the'421, '944 and '235 patents, however, any other known analysisalgorithms can be used.

Since the data collection computer 108 is cognizant of the twist lockcontrol signal, the data collection computer 108 may store theinformation conveyed by the electrical signal from each of the radiationdetection units at least once or continuously during the time durationthat the twist lock control signal is indicative that the twist locks 40_(a), 40 _(b) are in the closed position and the container 12 engaged.Moreover, such information may be periodically stored during such timeduration the twist locks 40 _(a), 40 _(b) are in the closed position andthe container 12 engaged.

Similarly, the data collection computer 108 may store the informationconveyed by the electrical signal from each of the radiation detectionunits at least once or continuously during the time duration that thetwist lock control signal is indicative that the twist locks 40 _(a), 40_(b) are in the disengaged position. Again, such information may beperiodically stored during such time duration the twist locks 40 _(a),40 _(b) are in the disengaged position.

As described in the '421, '944 and '235 patents, the digital data mayfurther be stored in association with a selected one of a containeridentification, timestamp and radiation detection unit identification.Generally, the container identification may be obtained by a bar codescan of a bar code on the container 12 and transmitted to the controlcomputer 102 or the port facility computer 104. The radiation detectionunit identification may be obtained either from the electrical signaldeveloped by a particular radiation detection unit 50 or from thechannel in which the electrical signal is applied to the data collectioncomputer 108. The timestamp may come from the internal clock of the datacollection computer 108 although the internal clock of the port facilitycomputer may also be utilized so that the time stamp is synchronized forall data stored in the data collection computer 108 at each of aplurality of container cranes 10 at the same port facility, as describedbelow. In any event, the control computer 102, the port facilitycomputer 104 and the data collection computer 108 are all incommunication with each other over the local area network 105 of theport facility so that, irrespective at which of these computers theinformation regarding container identification, timestamp and radiationdetection unit identification is originally developed, this informationis available through conventional network communication protocols to thedata collection computer 108.

At each port facility that has a plurality of cranes 10, the portfacility computer 104 and the data analysis computer 110 arerespectively in communication with the control computer 102 and the datacollection computer 108 in the machinery/electrical room 44 of eachcontainer crane 10 through the local area network 105 of the portfacility, as seen in FIG. 8. Accordingly, the data analysis computer 110can communicate contemporaneously with all data collection computers108, as is well known in the art, to download their stored digital dataand further analyze the data collected at multiple data collectioncomputers 108 to determine whether any container 12 currently engaged bythe hoist attachment or spreader 24 at any of the container cranes 10 atthe port facility contains threat material.

The monitoring system 100 as hereinabove described may be furtherextended as a real time wide area monitoring system for the detection ofa threat material in any one of a plurality of containers 12 as suchcontainers 12 are hoisted between a container ship 14 and the topwharfage 16 at any one of a plurality of port facilities. At each one ofthe port facilities that has one or more container cranes 10, the portfacility computer 104 and the control computer 102 and the datacollection computer 108 in the machinery/electrical room 44 of each oneof the container cranes 10 are all in communication with the local areanetwork 105 at such port facility, as seen in FIG. 8.

In the wide area monitoring system, the data analysis computer 110 neednot reside at any port facility. Instead, the data analysis computer 110can communicate over a wide area network 112, for example the Internet,with the local area network 105 of each of the port facilities tocommunicate with the data collection computer 108 in themachinery/electrical room 44 of each of the container cranes 10 of eachof the port facilities, such communications being within the ordinaryskill of the art. Hence, the data analysis computer 110 can download inreal time the digital data stored at the data collection computer 108 ofeach of the container cranes 10 at each of the port facilities andanalyze such data to determine if any container currently engaged by thespreader 24 of any container crane 10 of any port facility containsthreat material using the analysis as described above.

Through the above described apparatus and methods of the presentinvention, it is possible for a data analysis computer 110, locatedanywhere in the United States or in any other country, to monitorcontainers 12 during the time duration they are engaged by the spreader24 as being loaded from a top wharfage 16 to a container ship 14 at anyport facility located anywhere in the world. Since threat materials aremost likely to be placed in a container 12 originating in a territorywhere state or non-state actors have open hostility to the interest ofthe United States, threat materials in the container 12 can be detectedwhile the container 12 is in the process of being loaded onto thecontainer ship 14 at the port facility of such territory. Accordingly,the container 12 with threat materials can be confiscated and the threatmaterial removed prior to the such container 12 embarking from its portof origin, thereby minimizing the risk that a container 12 containingthreat materials would ever reach its port of destination whereat thethreat is to be consummated.

There have been described hereinabove novel apparatuses and methods toestablish real time domain awareness of the container shipping terminalsand to monitor and analyze the radioactive material content, if any, ofthe containers loaded and unloaded at those terminals. Those skilled inthe art may now make numerous uses of and departures from thehereinabove described embodiments without departing from the inventiveprinciples disclosed herein. Accordingly, the present invention is to bedefined solely by the lawfully permissible scope of the appended Claims.

1. A radiation detection unit for mounting a radiation sensor having aradiation collection end and an interface end to a hoist attachment of acontainer crane in which mechanical energy that degrades operability ofsaid radiation sensor is propagated, said radiation detection unitcomprising: a housing adapted to be attached to said hoist attachment,said housing having an interior surface and an exterior surface whereina portion of said exterior surface is in intimate contact with saidhoist attachment when said housing is attached thereto and furtherwherein major dimensions of said housing are selected to exceedcorresponding major dimensions of said radiation sensor; and a pair ofisolators of unitary construction of a mechanical energy absorbentmaterial, each of said isolators having a body portion and a pluralityof projections extending outwardly from said body portion, said bodyportion of each of said isolators being adapted to engage said radiationsensor proximal a respective one of said radiation collection end andsaid interface end, each of said projections being disposed spatiallyintermediate said body portion from which each of said projectionsextends and said interior surface of said housing and having a distalend in intimate contact with said interior surface of said housingwherein said radiation sensor when engaged by said isolators is carriedbidirectionally along each axis of three dimensional space in a spacedapart relationship to said interior surface of said housing and furtherwherein a length of each of said projections between said distal end andsaid body portion from which each of said projections extends isselected to attenuate substantially said mechanical energy that isinduced at said distal end and propagates along said length of each ofsaid projections prior to said propagated energy being incident uponsaid body portion from which each of said projections extends wherebysaid radiation sensor is isolated from said mechanical energy.
 2. Aradiation detection unit as set forth in claim 1 wherein said housing iselongated along a first one of said major dimensions corresponding to arespective one of said major dimensions of said radiation sensor betweensaid radiation collection end and said interface end, at least one ofsaid projections of each of said isolators extending non-interferinglyoutwardly along said major dimension in opposition to each other whereinsaid one of said projections of each of isolators and said radiationsensor when engaged by said body portion of each of said isolators isdimensionally commensurate with said first one of said major dimensions,remaining ones of each of said projections being normal to said firstone of said major dimensions.
 3. A radiation detection unit as set forthin claim 2 wherein said body portion of each of said isolators has afirst end, a second end and an opening extending there throughintermediate said first end and said second end, said opening of saidbody portion of each of said isolators being adapted at said first endof said body portion of each of said isolators to receivenon-interferingly said respective one of said of said radiationcollection end and said interface end of said radiation sensor, said oneof said projections of each of said isolators extending from said secondend of said body portion thereof.
 4. A radiation detection unit as setforth in claim 3 wherein said one of said projections of each of saidisolators is dimensionally commensurate with said body portion of eachof said isolators along said major dimensions normal to said first oneof said major dimensions and has an opening in communication with saidopening of said body portion.
 5. A radiation detection unit as set forthin claim 4 wherein said opening of said one of said projections isdimensionally lesser along said major dimensions normal to said firstone of said major dimensions than said opening of said body portion todefine an abutment at said second end of said body portion within saidopening of said body portion, said abutment at said second end of saidbody portion of each of said isolators abutting said respective one ofsaid radiation collection end and said interface end of said radiationsensor when engaged by said body portion.
 6. A radiation detection unitas set forth in claim 5 wherein said opening of said body portion andsaid opening of one of said projections of each of said isolators areeach a cylindrical bore coaxially aligned with each other wherein adiameter of said opening of said one of said projections is less than adiameter of said opening of said body portion.
 7. A radiation detectionunit as set forth in claim 6 wherein said body portion and said one ofsaid projections of each of said isolators are cylindrical.
 8. Aradiation detection unit as set forth in claim 2 wherein said remainingones of said projections are rectangular in cross-section.
 9. Aradiation detection unit as set forth in claim 2 wherein pairs of saidremaining ones of said projections extend from said body portion inopposition to each other along a respective common dimension normal tosaid major dimension.
 10. A radiation detection unit as set forth inclaim 9 wherein said distal end of one of said pairs of said remainingones of said projections has an arcuate surface axially aligned withsaid first one of said major dimensions such that contact with saidinner surface of said housing is substantially linear.
 11. A radiationdetection unit as set forth in claim 9 wherein said distal end of saidone of said pairs of said remaining ones of said projections has flatsurface such that contact with said inner surface of said housing issubstantially planar.
 12. A radiation detection unit as set forth inclaim 11 wherein said distal end of said one of said pairs has a borethere through axially aligned with said one of said major dimensions.13. A radiation detection unit as set forth in claim 2 furthercomprising at least one further isolator of unitary construction of saidmaterial, said further isolator having a body portion and a plurality ofprojections extending outwardly from said body portion of said furtherisolator normal to said one of said major dimensions, said body portionhaving an opening along said one of said major dimensions adapted toengage a portion of said radiation sensor intermediate said radiationcollection end and said interface end, each of said projections of saidfurther isolator being disposed spatially intermediate said body portionof said further isolator and said interior surface of said housing andhaving a distal end in intimate contact with said interior surface ofsaid housing.
 14. A radiation detection unit as set forth in claim 13wherein said body portion of said further isolator has a slit along saidone of said major dimensions, said further isolator being openable atsaid slit for placement of said further isolator about said radiationsensor.
 15. A radiation detection unit as set forth in claim 14 whereineach of said projections of said further isolator is an arcuate lobe.16. A radiation detection unit as set forth in claim 13 wherein saidmaterial is a viscoelastic material.
 17. detection unit as set forth inclaim 2 wherein said housing includes a first end wall and a second endwall opposite said first end wall wherein each of said first end walland said second end wall are substantially normal to said first one ofsaid major dimensions, said distal end of said one of said projectionsof each of said isolators being in intimate contact with a respectiveone of said first end wall and said second end wall.
 18. A radiationdetection unit as set forth in claim 17 wherein one of said first endwall and said second end wall includes interface connectors adapted tobe in communication with said interface end of said radiation sensor toprovide connection to said radiation sensor to a device external of saidhousing.
 19. A radiation detection unit as set forth in claim 1 whereinsaid hoist attachment includes a component having a generally U-shapedchannel open to an underside of said hoist attachment, said housingbeing protectively disposed within said U-shaped channel.
 20. Aradiation detection unit as set forth in claim 1 wherein said materialis a viscoelastic material.
 21. In a spreader of a container cranewherein said spreader includes a main body, a pair of actuated drawbarswherein each of said drawbars extend outwardly from a respectiveopposite end of said main body and move in opposition to each other, apair of gable ends wherein each of said gable ends is attached to adistal end of a respective one of said drawbars and normal thereto, anda first pair and a second pair of telescoping arms wherein said firstpair and said second pair of telescoping arms extend outwardly from saidrespective opposite end of said main body and further wherein each ofsaid first pair and said second pair of telescoping arms has a distalend attached to a respective one of said gable ends, a plurality ofradiation detection units, each of said radiation detection units formounting a respective one of a plurality of radiation sensors having aradiation collection end and an interface end to a selected one of saidmain body, said drawbars, said gable ends and said telescoping arms ofsaid spreader in which mechanical energy that degrades operability ofsaid radiation sensors is propagated, each of said radiation detectionunits comprising: a housing adapted to be attached to said selected oneof said main body, said drawbars, said gable ends and said telescopingarms, said housing having an interior surface and an exterior surfacewherein a portion of said exterior surface is in intimate contact withsaid selected one of said main body, said drawbars, said gable ends andsaid telescoping arms when said housing is attached thereto and furtherwherein major dimensions of said housing are selected to exceedcorresponding major dimensions of said respective one of said radiationsensors; and a pair of isolators of unitary construction of a mechanicalenergy absorbent material, each of said isolators having a body portionand a plurality of projections extending outwardly from said bodyportion, said body portion of each of said isolators being adapted toengage said respective one of said radiation sensors proximal arespective one of said radiation collection end and said interface end,each of said projections being disposed spatially intermediate said bodyportion from which each of said projections extends and said interiorsurface of said housing and having a distal end in intimate contact withsaid interior surface of said housing wherein said respective one ofsaid radiation sensors when engaged by said isolators is carriedbidirectionally along each axis of three dimensional space in a spacedapart relationship to said interior surface of said housing and furtherwherein a length of each of said projections between said distal end andsaid body portion from which each of said projections extends isselected to attenuate substantially mechanical energy that is induced atsaid distal end and propagates along said length of each of saidprojections prior to said propagated energy being incident upon saidbody portion from which each of said projections extends whereby saidradiation sensor is isolated from said mechanical energy.
 22. Aradiation detection unit as set forth in claim 21 wherein said housingis elongated along a first one of said major dimensions corresponding toa respective one of said major dimensions of said respective one of saidradiation sensors between said radiation collection end and saidinterface end, at least one of said projections of each of saidisolators extending non-interferingly outwardly along said majordimension in opposition to each other wherein said one of saidprojections of each of isolators and said respective one of saidradiation sensors when engaged by said body portion of each of saidisolators is dimensionally commensurate with said first one of saidmajor dimensions, remaining ones of each of said projections beingnormal to said first one of said major dimensions.
 23. A radiationdetection unit as set forth in claim 22 wherein said body portion ofeach of said isolators has a first end, a second end and an openingextending there through intermediate said first end and said second end,said opening of said body portion of each of said isolators beingadapted at said first end of said body portion of each of said isolatorsto receive non-interferingly said respective one of said of saidradiation collection end and said interface end of said respective oneof said radiation sensors, said one of said projections of each of saidisolators extending from said second end of said body portion thereof.24. A radiation detection unit as set forth in claim 23 wherein said oneof said projections of each of said isolators is dimensionallycommensurate with said body portion of each of said isolators along saidmajor dimensions normal to said first one of said major dimensions andhas an opening in communication with said opening of said body portion.25. A radiation detection unit as set forth in claim 24 wherein saidopening of said one of said projections is dimensionally lesser alongsaid major dimensions normal to said first one of said major dimensionsthan said opening of said body portion to define an abutment at saidsecond end of said body portion within said opening of said bodyportion, said abutment at said second end of said body portion of eachof said isolators abutting said respective one of said radiationcollection end and said interface end of said respective one of saidradiation sensors when engaged by said body portion.
 26. A radiationdetection unit as set forth in claim 25 wherein said opening of saidbody portion and said opening of one of said projections of each of saidisolators are each a cylindrical bore coaxially aligned with each otherwherein a diameter of said opening of said one of said projections isless than a diameter of said opening of said body portion.
 27. Aradiation detection unit as set forth in claim 26 wherein said bodyportion and said one of said projections of each of said isolators arecylindrical.
 28. A radiation detection unit as set forth in claim 22wherein said remaining ones of said projections are rectangular incross-section.
 29. A radiation detection unit as set forth in claim 22wherein pairs of said remaining ones of said projections extend fromsaid body portion in opposition to each other along a respective commondimension normal to said major dimension.
 30. A radiation detection unitas set forth in claim 29 wherein said distal end of one of said pairs ofsaid remaining ones of said projections has an arcuate surface axiallyaligned with said first one of said major dimensions such that contactwith said inner surface of said housing is substantially linear.
 31. Aradiation detection unit as set forth in claim 29 wherein said distalend of said one of said pairs of said remaining ones of said projectionshas flat surface such that contact with said inner surface of saidhousing is substantially planar.
 32. A radiation detection unit as setforth in claim 3 1 wherein said distal end of said one of said pairs hasa bore there through axially aligned with said one of said majordimensions.
 33. A radiation detection unit as set forth in claim 22further comprising at least one further isolator of unitary constructionof said material, said further isolator having a body portion and aplurality of projections extending outwardly from said body portion ofsaid further isolator normal to said one of said major dimensions, saidbody portion having an opening along said one of said major dimensionsadapted to engage a portion of said respective one of said radiationsensors intermediate said radiation collection end and said interfaceend, each of said projections of said further isolator being disposedspatially intermediate said body portion of said further isolator andsaid interior surface of said housing and having a distal end inintimate contact with said interior surface of said housing.
 34. Aradiation detection unit as set forth in claim 33 wherein said bodyportion of said further isolator has a slit along said one of said majordimensions, said further isolator being openable at said slit forplacement of said further isolator about said respective one of saidradiation sensors.
 35. A radiation detection unit as set forth in claim34 wherein each of said projections of said further isolator is anarcuate lobe.
 36. A radiation detection unit as set forth in claim 33wherein said material is a viscoelastic material.
 37. A radiationdetection unit as set forth in claim 22 wherein said housing includes afirst end wall and a second end wall opposite said first end wallwherein each of said first end wall and said second end wall aresubstantially normal to said first one of said major dimensions, saiddistal end of said one of said projections of each of said isolatorsbeing in intimate contact with a respective one of said first end walland said second end wall.
 38. A radiation detection unit as set forth inclaim 37 wherein one of said first end wall and said second end wallincludes interface connectors adapted to be in communication with saidinterface end of said respective one of said radiation sensors toprovide connection to said respective one of said radiation sensors to adevice external of said housing.
 39. A radiation detection unit as setforth in claim 21 wherein said selected one of said main body, saiddrawbars, said gable ends and said telescoping arms has a generallyU-shaped channel open to an underside of said spreader, said housingbeing protectively disposed within said U-shaped channel.
 40. Aradiation detection unit as set forth in claim 21 wherein said materialis a viscoelastic material.
 41. In a hoist attachment for a containercrane, a radiation detection unit for mounting therein a plurality ofradiation sensors wherein each of said radiation sensors has a radiationcollection end and an interface end to said hoist attachment in whichmechanical energy that degrades operability of said radiation sensors ispropagated, said radiation detection unit comprising: a housing adaptedto be attached rigidly to said hoist attachment, said housing having aninterior surface and an exterior surface wherein a portion of saidexterior surface is in intimate contact with said hoist attachment andfurther wherein major dimensions of said housing are selected to exceedcorresponding major dimensions of said radiation sensor; and a pair ofisolators of unitary construction of a mechanical energy absorbentmaterial, each of said isolators having a body portion and a pluralityof projections extending outwardly from said body portion, each of saidprojections being disposed spatially intermediate said body portion fromwhich each of said projections extends and said interior surface of saidhousing and having a distal end in intimate contact with said interiorsurface of said housing; a pair of inserts, each of said inserts beingdisposed within said body portion of a respective one of said isolators,each of said inserts being adapted to engage said radiation sensorsproximal a respective one of said radiation collection end and saidinterface end, wherein said radiation sensors when engaged by saidinserts are carried in a three dimensional spaced apart relationship tosaid interior surface of said housing and further wherein a length ofeach of said projections between said distal end and said body portionfrom which each of said projections extends is selected to attenuatesubstantially mechanical energy that is induced at said distal end andpropagates along said length of each of said projections prior to saidpropagated energy being incident upon said body portion from which eachof said projections extends whereby said radiation sensors are isolatedfrom said mechanical energy.
 42. A radiation detection unit as set forthin claim 41 wherein said housing is elongated along a first one of saidmajor dimensions corresponding to a respective one of said majordimensions of each of said radiation sensors between said radiationcollection end and said interface end, at least one of said projectionsof each of said isolators extending non-interferingly outwardly alongsaid major dimension in opposition to each other wherein said one ofsaid projections of each of isolators and said radiation sensor whenengaged by each of said inserts is dimensionally commensurate with saidfirst one of said major dimensions, remaining ones of each of saidprojections being normal to said first one of said major dimensions. 43.A radiation detection unit as set forth in claim 42 wherein said bodyportion of each of said isolators has a first end, a second end and anopening extending there through intermediate said first end and saidsecond end, said opening of said body portion of each of said isolatorsbeing adapted at said first end of said body portion of each of saidisolators to receive a respective one of said inserts, said one of saidprojections of each of said isolators extending from said second end ofsaid body portion thereof.
 44. A radiation detection unit as set forthin claim 43 wherein said one of said projections of each of saidisolators is dimensionally commensurate with said body portion of eachof said isolators along said major dimensions normal to said first oneof said major dimensions and has an opening in communication with saidopening of said body portion.
 45. A radiation detection unit as setforth in claim 44 wherein said opening of said one of said projectionsis dimensionally lesser along said major dimensions normal to said firstone of said major dimensions than said opening of said body portion todefine an abutment at said second end of said body portion within saidopening of said body portion, said abutment at said second end of saidbody portion of each of said isolators abutting said respective one ofsaid inserts.
 46. A radiation detection unit as set forth in claim 45wherein said opening of said body portion and said opening of one ofsaid projections of each of said isolators are each a cylindrical borecoaxially aligned with each other wherein a diameter of said opening ofsaid one of said projections is less than a diameter of said opening ofsaid body portion.
 47. A radiation detection unit as set forth in claim46 wherein said body portion and said one of said projections of each ofsaid isolators are cylindrical.
 48. A radiation detection unit as setforth in claim 42 wherein said housing includes a first end wall and asecond end wall opposite said first end wall wherein each of said firstend wall and said second end wall are substantially normal to said firstone of said major dimensions, said distal end of said one of saidprojections of each of said isolators being in intimate contact with arespective one of said first end wall and said second end wall.
 49. Aradiation detection unit as set forth in claim 48 wherein one of saidfirst end wall and said second end wall includes interface connectorsadapted to be in communication with said interface end of each of saidradiation sensors to provide connection to each of said radiationsensors to a device external of said housing.
 50. A radiation detectionunit as set forth in claim 41 wherein said material is a viscoelasticmaterial.
 51. A radiation detection unit as set forth in claim 41wherein each of said inserts is of a neutron absorbent material.